Connected: An Internet Encyclopedia
RFC 959 - 4.1. FTP COMMANDS

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### 4.1. FTP COMMANDS

The File Transfer Protocol follows the specifications of the Telnet protocol for all communications over the control connection. Since the language used for Telnet communication may be a negotiated option, all references in the next two sections will be to the "Telnet language" and the corresponding "Telnet end-of-line code". Currently, one may take these to mean NVT-ASCII and <CRLF>. No other specifications of the Telnet protocol will be cited.

FTP commands are "Telnet strings" terminated by the "Telnet end of line code". The command codes themselves are alphabetic characters terminated by the character <SP> (Space) if parameters follow and Telnet-EOL otherwise. The command codes and the semantics of commands are described in this section; the detailed syntax of commands is specified in the Section on Commands, the reply sequences are discussed in the Section on Sequencing of Commands and Replies, and scenarios illustrating the use of commands are provided in the Section on Typical FTP Scenarios.

FTP commands may be partitioned as those specifying access-control identifiers, data transfer parameters, or FTP service requests. Certain commands (such as ABOR, STAT, QUIT) may be sent over the control connection while a data transfer is in progress. Some servers may not be able to monitor the control and data connections simultaneously, in which case some special action will be necessary to get the server's attention. The following ordered format is tentatively recommended:

1. User system inserts the Telnet "Interrupt Process" (IP) signal in the Telnet stream.

2. User system sends the Telnet "Synch" signal.

3. User system inserts the command (e.g., ABOR) in the Telnet stream.

4. Server PI, after receiving "IP", scans the Telnet stream for EXACTLY ONE FTP command.

(For other servers this may not be necessary but the actions listed above should have no unusual effect.)

4.1.1. ACCESS CONTROL COMMANDS
4.1.2. TRANSFER PARAMETER COMMANDS
4.1.3. FTP SERVICE COMMANDS

Next: 4.1.1. ACCESS CONTROL COMMANDS

Connected: An Internet Encyclopedia
RFC 959 - 4.1. FTP COMMANDS